FARMERS MEET

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32420, 19 April 1944, Page 3

FARMERS MEET

MANGATARATA UNION INTERESTS OF DISTRICT MAIL SERVICE AND SCHOOL BUS A meeting of the Mangatarata Branch of the Farmers’ Union was ■held in the school on the evening of April 5. This was the second geneial.i meeting and Mr G. Gray, chairman, gave an account of activities since the formation of the branch at the beginning of this year. A petition for a daily mail service instead of the tri-weekly delivery had I been completed and it was hoped would be approved. A school bus, to enable children from this district to • attend the Ngatea District High School was sought. Drainage rates on some farms had been investigated | and in two cases were considered very I ’ unjust. ? Inspection of Roads The councillor for the riding, Mr F. Pinchess, had, together with members of the branch, made a tour of the roads in this area and inspected culverts and bends, which, with a little improvement, would greatly improve the safety of the roads. Restoration of the transport service direct to Westfield was also being sought. The present system of carting or droving to Pokeno and then railing to Westfield not only took longer and was more expensive but detrimental to the condition of the stock. The producer therefore received less while his expenses were much heavier. The vice-chairman, Mr J. Flynn, and the branch delegate, Mr f T. Burns, had .attended the sub-pro-, vincial meeting held in Thames. Opposition Congratulated In conclusion Mr Gray said that a reply from Mr A. S. Sutherland, M.P. for Hauraki indicated that he would be in the district at an early date and would meet members of the branch. Funds had been received and the. treasurer, Mr L. C. .Schultz was instructed to open a banking account for the branch. One new member had enrolled. Mr W. J. Cropp moved that the Opposition members of the House be sent a letter of appreciation for their staunch resistance to the Local Elee- . tions and Polls Amendment Bill. The secretary was instructed to convey this to the member foi’ Hauraki. It was decided that in future meetings be held on the first Wednesday

in the month instead of the second as previously. Non-members are to be cordially invited to attend. NETHERTON UNION ( ANNUAL MEETING HELD | The annual meeting of the Netherj ton Farmers’ Union was held in the ! Netherton Hall recently, the president, Mr W. H. Cheale, presiding over a good attendance of over SO members including some from adjoining branches. i In his report the president dealt with the activities of the branch during the past year covering a wide I’ange of matters affecting Netherton in particular and farming in general. The branch held four regular meetj ings and one special pig-meat promoI tion meeting the upshot of which was an increased payment for winter pigmeat. The metering of water-heat-ers was a breach of the stabilisation plan and with the prospect of in- | creased hospital rates for the ensuing I year the financial scales will be still i further biassed against the farmer. In view of the call from Britain for more food he stressed the need for an all-out effort next season. He then moved a vote of thanks to the Press for publicity and the secretary for his services.

The election of officers resulted:— president, Mr W. H. Cheale; secretary and treasurer, Mr Chas. Townshend; executive committee, Messrs H. F. Louch, D. Waetford, R. Locke, B. Buchanan, W. Richmond and J. A. Reid; delegates to Thames Sub-Pro-vincial Conferences, Messrs W. H. Cheale, Wm. Hayes, J. A. Reid and C. Townshend..

Considerable discussion took place on the metering of water-heaters and the effect it had on farmers’ power costs. While a few members quoted reductions, in the majority of cases the costs were up when worked out at .per day basis. The secretary was instructed tc. write to the Ohineinuri County Council expressing satisfaction at their prompt and efficient response to the request to clear ragwort from the eastern bank of the Waihou river.

The matter of comparative, prices for pig-meats between Australia ano New Zealand under the lease-lend scheme had been broached to the Minister of Agriculture and no reply received. The secretary was .instructed to wire again to see if definite information was available.

After much discussion it was decided to defer comment on the newlyannounced prices and plans until the leaders of the industry had been heatd at the Paeroa meeting in the near future.

Mr A. H. Sutton of Turua, a member of, the Thames Hospital Board gave a resume of the board’s obliga-

tions and operations, giving data to substantiate his .statements. Mr Sutton answered several questions and was then accorded a vote of thanks. Mr H. R. Baker moved that the Hauraki Plains County Council be asked to show the amount of hospital rate levied on each ratepayer’s notice apart from other rates. This was seconded by Mr R. Fisher. Mr J. A. Reid moved an amendment that the matter be left in abeyance. This was seconded by Mr Wm. Hayes and the amendment was carried.

The circular letter from Mr J. H. Furniss, Dominion organiser, for abolition of hospital rates was received.